I didn't watch the game but I predicted how we win was based on gasol's performance. Utah front court is antithesis of him: quick, can shoot, hustles and more importantly not soft. I'd feel he'd have issues, especially up there in utah.

Watching the Bulls OKC game...Nate Robinson would have been a solid pick up for us. wish we got him. he gets in the lane so easily and dishes it so well. wish we got him or played duhon and use pick and roll like they do with nate. its so simple for him and it works.

Ariza3 wrote:Watching the Bulls OKC game...Nate Robinson would have been a solid pick up for us. wish we got him. he gets in the lane so easily and dishes it so well. wish we got him or played duhon and use pick and roll like they do with nate. its so simple for him and it works.

Either Brown would sit him on the farthest reaches of the bench, because he doesn't have length, or have him play SF.

What Worthy said about passion...that was quite true. Watching during the third quarter, I was just struck with the feeling they were all playing a lifeless and uninspired game. Just going through the motions. Even Kobe looked disinterested. It just seemed to me that they lacked a purpose, a drive or sense of urgency.

And the reason for it is clear, they don't believe in Mike Brown or really buy in to what he's selling. It's clearly not working and the players are effectively staging a revolt of sorts.

It basically looked like Brown had lost the team, and I think this was true on Sunday during the win as well. Just the looks, body language, and post game comments about Brown's behavior during the game. I think the players see that Brown is fighting for his own survival more than he's fighting for the team's (collective) success.

So overplaying an injured Kobe is not really a big deal for Brown if it helps him "win" a game that he needs to keep his job. The players aren't stupid, they see what is happening, and they know in the long run that this will not end well.

While MB is clearly the #1 culprit, I just can't believe he's the only cause for our poor start. There is something wrong in Lakerland, not entirely sure what it is (beyond Brown though). Blaming MB for everything is too easy.

Look at the Colts. They have a rookie QB, had coaching changes a few games in to their season and they're sitting nicely at 6-3. So they've shown teams can overcome adversity and have success.

There is no excuse in the world for our players to lack interest 5 games in to the season. If that's true, then we have MUCH bigger problems than Mike Brown.

There are obviously also injury issues to 3 of 4 star players, and then there are well known issues with depth. One of the reasons it is tough for us to extend leads is our lack of reliable three point shooters. We're easily one of the worst three point shooting teams in the league, which makes you wonder why Meeks is benched.

With the Detroit blowout factored in we are averaging 97 pts a game...take that game away, and we have one of the lowest output offenses in the league. Our defense is giving up 98 pts a game.

kray28 wrote:There are obviously also injury issues to 3 of 4 star players, and then there are well known issues with depth. One of the reasons it is tough for us to extend leads is our lack of reliable three point shooters. We're easily one of the worst three point shooting teams in the league, which makes you wonder why Meeks is benched.

Good point. Which is also why I think we have a bit of a flaw in terms of the roster. MB or not, we still aren't going to be a threat from outside.

While I do like the idea of a Nash/Meeks/Bryant/Pau/D12 unit out there, we don't have enough perimeter shooting across the rest of the roster to threaten.

I really think MWP is a big problem for this team. He overdribbles, can't shoot, can't pass. A more athletic wing player who can shoot from deep would be nice. Then again, jeez, how much help does a Kobe/D12 team really need? Haha.

JGC wrote:While MB is clearly the #1 culprit, I just can't believe he's the only cause for our poor start. There is something wrong in Lakerland, not entirely sure what it is (beyond Brown though). Blaming MB for everything is too easy.

Look at the Colts. They have a rookie QB, had coaching changes a few games in to their season and they're sitting nicely at 6-3. So they've shown teams can overcome adversity and have success.

There is no excuse in the world for our players to lack interest 5 games in to the season. If that's true, then we have MUCH bigger problems than Mike Brown.

I just realized what the main problem is. . . doesn't the FO all have DTV? They can't watch the games, so they just tell Brown to keep up the good work. He thinks they want him to keep making idiotic substitutions, and so he does.

JGC wrote:While MB is clearly the #1 culprit, I just can't believe he's the only cause for our poor start. There is something wrong in Lakerland, not entirely sure what it is (beyond Brown though). Blaming MB for everything is too easy.

Look at the Colts. They have a rookie QB, had coaching changes a few games in to their season and they're sitting nicely at 6-3. So they've shown teams can overcome adversity and have success.

There is no excuse in the world for our players to lack interest 5 games in to the season. If that's true, then we have MUCH bigger problems than Mike Brown.

I just realized what the main problem is. . . doesn't the FO all have DTV? They can't watch the games, so they just tell Brown to keep up the good work. He thinks they want him to keep making idiotic substitutions, and so he does.

Another game which proved this team needs to replace both of his starting forwards to have a serious shot at winning a title ( though Pau energy and effort were really good but the shooting efficiency is terrible).

I really have nothing except for MWP needs to jack up less 3's, we need to shoot less 3's overall as a team. Don't know where else to put this, not really a complaint, but I have to laugh at these post game locker room interviews with players about Brown, trying to say they were surprised by the firing and that nothing was really different tonight, but at the same time trying to hold back the joy of him being gone, you can see it in the eyes.

JGC wrote:While MB is clearly the #1 culprit, I just can't believe he's the only cause for our poor start. There is something wrong in Lakerland, not entirely sure what it is (beyond Brown though). Blaming MB for everything is too easy.

Look at the Colts. They have a rookie QB, had coaching changes a few games in to their season and they're sitting nicely at 6-3. So they've shown teams can overcome adversity and have success.

There is no excuse in the world for our players to lack interest 5 games in to the season. If that's true, then we have MUCH bigger problems than Mike Brown.

I just realized what the main problem is. . . doesn't the FO all have DTV? They can't watch the games, so they just tell Brown to keep up the good work. He thinks they want him to keep making idiotic substitutions, and so he does.

"I just put my faith in God. Through him we can do all things" - Kobe Bryant, March 24, 2004

1) the team looked like they played looser, much more instinctual. it looked like a group of smart veteran players trying to get each other involved without forcing it into a specific offensive scheme.

2) jodie meeks sighting! his shooting is going to come in handy for us, even though he didn't shoot all that well tonight, i'm sure he's just rusty from being glued to the bench.

3) gasol looked energized!!!!

4) glad dwight got some rest, though i wish kobe would have sat a bit longer in the 4th

5) not yet fooled by the darius morris performance. going up against a team not known for their defensive makes it hard to inspect his performance.

6) this was just a completely different team. they still don't look great, but they actually looked as if they had some joy in playing the game.